A sense of purpose: The flags reflect the many Rakan Muda initiatives launched by the PM in UKM on June 25. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Employers and universities have been urged to allow time for their workers and students to take part in the activities of the newly-revamped Rakan Muda.
The cooperation of all stakeholders, including employers and higher education institutions (IPTs), is crucial in ensuring that the new Rakan Muda programme achieves its goal of producing a generation with noble aspirations and rich human values, said National Negaraku Brigade president Khairul Nizam Mohd Sopery.
This is important because participation in Rakan Muda activities is not only focused on students but also involves working youths, he added.
“Rakan Muda has always been synonymous with young people as it targets youth between 15 and 30 years old. So this time, we want to include all age groups of the target audience so that the planned programme can have a comprehensive impact.
“To achieve this, we need the cooperation of all parties, including government agencies and employers, as well as IPT management, which should show flexibility if there are students or workers who want to participate in the Rakan Muda programme,” he told Bernama.
Referring to the objective of Rakan Muda, which has anti-corruption and anti-hypocrisy elements, Khairul Nizam said it is a good effort to nurture the principle of “rejection of bribery” within oneself.
“Anti-corruption initiatives actually need to start at the school level, but it is not too late for us to ‘catch up’ through this Rakan Muda programme. It is also necessary to diversify the anti-corruption drive to ensure that the application of this principle is more effective,” he said.
In this regard, Khairul Nizam said the government needs to allocate funds to boost the new Rakan Muda programme without creating bureaucratic problems which would cause people to lose interest in the programme.
Sharing his sentiment, Malaysian Youth Council president Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid said employers should allow their workers to participate in the Rakan Muda programme to ensure that the concept of work-life balance can be practised.
“We know that this Rakan Muda programme can benefit and add value to employees if employers extend their cooperation. Maybe workers should be given a day off every month to participate in the programme,” he said.
Mohd Izzat said the lifestyle elements introduced in the revamped Rakan Muda not only promote an active lifestyle but also incorporate features related to current issues.
They are Rakan Demokrasi, Rakan Litar, Rakan Aktif, Rakan Bumi, Rakan Digital, Rakan Ekspresi, Rakan Muzik, Rakan Mahir, Rakan Niaga and Rakan Prihatin.
He said all Rakan Muda activities should be widely promoted on social media, television or radio to ensure they reach the target audience.
Last Sunday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the revamped Rakan Muda programme, which has been given a new lease of life with the introduction of a new phase to produce a generation of youths with the aspirations and qualities to turn Malaysia into a great nation in the region.
